Garden waste collection
To be compliant with the new Simpler Recycling legislation, starting from 1 April 2026 the City of London Corporation is offering a free 6-month trial of a garden waste collection service. This service is available for City of London residents living in the Square Mile.
What counts as garden waste?
We will only accept cut flowers, plants, twigs and small sticks (max diameter 10cm), house plants, leaves and grass cuttings.
We do not accept animal waste and bedding, food and kitchen waste, large branches, soil and stones, invasive weeds e.g. Japanese Knotweed, ragwort, treated wood, plastics such as compost bags, plant pots and seed trays.
How does it work?
Residents in the Square Mile can book a free garden waste collection from your doorstep. You will need to first collect a garden waste bag from one of the following locations:
- Artizan Street Library, 1 Artizan street, E1 7AF
- Barbican Estate Office, Lauderdale Tower, EC2Y 8BY
- Barbican Library, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS
- Golden Lane Estate Office, Great Arthur House, EC1Y 0RD
- Portsoken Community Centre, 20 Little Somerset Street, E1 8AH
- Shoe Lane Library, 1 Little New Street, EC4A 3JR
Fill your bag with garden waste and once you're ready for it to be collected, please fill out the booking form linked above or call the contact centre on 020 7606 3110 to book a collection slot.
On your collection day, place the bag outside your doorstep where it will be collected from, similar to a bulky waste collection.
To arrange your free collection, please fill out the booking form linked above or call the contact centre on 020 7606 3110 to book a slot.
Is there a fee for collection?
This service is being offered for free for 6 months from 1 April to 30 September 2026 as part of a trial. The service will be reviewed after the 6 months and may then become chargeable.